Hometown Community Bank, Braselton, Georgia, was closed today by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with CertusBank, National Association, Easley, South Carolina, to assume all of the deposits of Hometown Community Bank.

The two branches of Hometown Community Bank will reopen on Saturday as branches of CertusBank, N.A. Depositors of Hometown Community Bank will automatically become depositors of CertusBank, N.A. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship in order to retain their deposit insurance coverage up to applicable limits. Customers of Hometown Community Bank should continue to use their existing branch until they receive notice from CertusBank, N.A. that it has completed systems changes to allow other CertusBank, N.A. branches to process their accounts as well.

This evening and over the weekend, depositors of Hometown Community Bank can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of September 30, 2012, Hometown Community Bank had approximately $124.6 million in total assets and $108.9 million in total deposits. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, CertusBank, N.A. agreed to purchase essentially all of the assets.

Customers with questions about today’s transaction should call the FDIC toll-free at 1-800-830-4725. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., EST; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., EST; on Monday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., EST; and thereafter from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., EST.

If you should have ant further questions please do not hesitate to visit the FDIC web page for Hometown Community Bank.